Pool-ball collector.



F. P. GRODE.

POOL BALL COLLECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-16.1915.

Patented Apr. 10,1917.

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POOL BALL COLLECTOR.

APPLICATION man AUG- I6. 1915.

Patented Apr. 10, 191? 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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FRANK P. GRODE, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

POOL-BALL COLLECTOR.

Application filed August 16, 1915.

To all whom 2'25 may concern:

lie it known that l, FRANK P. GRoDE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Pool-Ball Collectors, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in pool ball collectors.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a pool ball collector, which is cleanly, and will not retain dust or dirt, which will permit the ready removal of the balls from the different runways at different points along the'lengths thereof, which will be practically noiseless in operation, in which the balls from the different pockets will not interfere with the downward travel of each other, and in which the time of travel of the balls from the different pockets to the collecting part of the apparatus will be practically the same.

A further object of my invention is to provide a pool ball collector which may readily be attached to tables which are in use, which is efficient in operation, which may be cheaply manufactured and which is not liable to get out of order.

The novel features of my invention are hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the prefer "ed embodiment of my invention,

Figure 1 is a plan view, partly broken away, of a pool table provided with my improvement.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross section of one of the runways, on the line 44 of Fig. 1,

a ball being shown on the runway.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross section on the line 55 of Fig. 1.

Similar reference characters designate similar parts in the different views.

1 designates a pool table having corner pockets 2, 3, 4 and 5, and side pockets 6 and 7. The pockets 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are pro vided respectively with extensions or boots 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13. Respectively leading from said boots are ball runways 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19. Each of these runways is open at the top and comprises, preferably,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Serial No. 45,814.

two angle-rails 20, Fig. 4, disposed parallel with each other and spaced apart, each rail 20 being lined on its inner side with flexible material 21, preferably soft rubber, which serves as a bearing surface for the balls, one of which, 22, is shown in Fig. 4.

The rails-2O may be connected by transverse spacing members 23. The runway 17 is formed into a loop and has its lower end discharging downwardly into the upper end of an inclined runway 24, constructed like the other runways and which is located obliquely to the discharge ends of the run ways 14, 15, 16, 18 and 19, the latter runways discharging in directions substantially parallel with each other, each of the last named runways discharging downwardly into the receiving runway The runway 14 is also, preferably, formed into a loop and is substantially of the same length as the runway 17.

By means of this construction, the balls from the different runways cannot clog in the runway 24, and the balls from the different pockets will consume nearly the same time in passing from the pockets into the runway 24. ()wing to the balls being discharged into the latter runway, in a downward direction, and at different points from the different runways, the balls will never interfere with each other in their downward travel.

The lower end of the runway 24 is U shaped and is adapted to hold all of the balls, 15 in number, below the runway 14. The balls are prevented from running out of the runway 24 by means of an arm 25 provided on a horizontal rock shaft 26, Fig. 3, which is supported pivotally in bearings 27 and 28, respectively provided on the arms of a U-shaped bracket 29 which is secured to the table 1 and supports the runway 24.

Secured to the rock shaft 26 is a pedal 30, by means of which the rock shaft 26 may be rocked in a direction such that the arm 25 will be released from the balls contained in the runway 24. For retracting the rock shaft 26, to the closed position, shown in the drawings, any suitable means may be employed, as, for example, a coil spring 31 encircling the rock shaft 26 and having one end bearing against the bearing 28, and the other end bearing against the arm 25.

The lower ends of the runways 14, 15, 16, 18 and 19 are disposed upon the adjacent Patented Apr. 16 191?. I

side of the runway 24;. Said runways are supported also upon a transverse bar 32 which is supported by the table 1.

The upper ends of the runways 14, and 16 are respectively supported by bars 33, 3% and 35 which bars are supported by the table 1.

Each of the boots 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13, is attached to the adjacent end of the adjacent runway into which it discharges by means of a. strap 36 provided with a buckle 3'7, and which is secured to the boot and embraces the runway, as shown in Fig. 5.

The inlet ends of the runways 1 1, 1-5, 16, 17, 18 and 19 are provided respectively with housings 38 which prevent the balls jumping oil from the runways as they are discharged thereupon from the adjacent boots.

' These housings also serve to eliminate or reduce the English which has been imparted to the balls by the cue.

In the operation of my invention, when the balls enter the pockets, they pass into *the runways which discharge into the receiving runway 2 1, and collect in the inclined lower Ushaped end of the latter runway, the lowermost ball having a bearing against the arm 25. By depressing the pedal 80, the arm 25 is swung clear of the path of movement of the balls, and the latter will then run by gravity into a basket or other receptacle placed below and in front of the discharge end of the runway 24.

As the runways are lined with yielding material, and as the balls enter the receiving runway obliquely and in a downward direction, the collecting of the balls will proceed with practically no noise. By reason of the arrangement of the runways, the balls will not interfere with each other, and there will be no loss of time nor clogging, no matter how many balls enter the runways at the same time.

As the runways are open at the top the balls are always accessible, and may be Copies taken from or placed upon the runways without passing through the pockets.

As the runways are open at the bottom, they will be free from chalk or dirt which collects in closed runways and obstructs the free passage of the balls, besides soiling them.

Guard walls 39 may be placed at the outer sides of the curves in the different runways to prevent the balls leaving the runways at such places.

I do not limit my invention to the structure shown and described, as modifications, within the scope of the appended claims, may be made without departing from the spirit oi my invention.

What 1 claim is 1. In a pool hall collector, a pool table having pockets, an inclined receiving ball runway, and inclined runways leading respect'vely from all of said pockets and discharging downwardly and obliquely into said receiving runway at diiierent points respectively.

2. In a pool hall collector, a pool table having corner and side pockets, an inclined receiving ball runway, two ball runways respectively leading from two corner pockets and discharging in a downwardly direction into said receiving runway, each of said two runways forming a loop, and ball runways respectively leading from the other pockets and discharging in a downward direction into said receiving runway.

8. In a pool ball collector, a pool table having pockets, an inclined S-shaped receiving ball runway, and runways leading respectively from all of said pockets and discharging at different places into said receiving runway and in directions leading downwardly toward the discharge end of said receiving runway.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

FRANK P. GRODE.

of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

